2003 Volvo XC90 Volvo XC90 2003

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2003 Volvo XC90 repairs by problem area

Engine (33%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (23%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (16%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (14%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)

Other (3%)

Chart based on 69 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Volvo XC90.

2003 Volvo XC90 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (10%)

$1000 - $2499 (16%)

$500 - $999 (16%)

$100 - $499 (23%)

< $100 (34%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 61 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Volvo XC90

Engine not specified

Volvo XC90 in Georgia, United States
Aug 2013 - Dec 2013
Nov 2013

118100 mi

US $350
replaced two motor mounts 
Dec 2013

121000 mi
replaced driveshaft control arms replaced (upper) 

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2003 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 268hp 2.8L I6 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Volvo XC90 in North Carolina, United States
Sep 2013 - Oct 2013
Oct 2013

153000 mi

US $4000
Final drive failed and shift valves failed. Second transmission repair, first at 105k. Partially fixed, found would require more work, so replaced the car. So much for Volvo being reliable. 
Volvo XC90 in California, United States
- Jan 2010
Jan 2010

105000 mi

US $21000
TURBO REPLACED ENGINE REPLACED TRANSMISSION REPLACED TRANSFER CASE REPLACED LEFT AXLE REPLACED CUP HOLDERS REPLACED 
Volvo XC90 in Washington, United States
Jan 2018 - Mar 2018
Mar 2018

120000 mi

US $100
Not shifting properly. 
Volvo XC90 in South Carolina, United States
Apr 2010 - Apr 2016
Oct 2013

139000 mi

US $2800
Infamous trans issue. Dead pressure control valve. 
Oct 2014

150800 mi

US $2100
The all familiar failed transmission. Not only did the pressure control solenoid fail but the torque converter clutch came apart as well. 
Jan 2016

158000 mi

US $500
Key would not turn past position 0, locked down. 
Apr 2016

173000 mi
Still having problems with the ignition switch. Key will not rotate sometimes. 
Volvo XC90 in Virginia, United States
Sep 2012 - Oct 2012
Oct 2012

67000 mi

US $1200
Transmission cannot be flushed, only drained and refilled.Shop in Fl has done 2x on this vehicle. Volvo has a class action suit for 2003,4, &5 against these trans for this prob. trans doesn't malfun but fluid is burnt & metal shavings prest 
Volvo XC90 in Florida, United States
Sep 2007 - Jun 2011
Apr 2007

69000 mi

US $1700
Shocks, struts, timing belt 
Mar 2008

78000 mi

US $750
Broken motor mount 
Oct 2008

82000 mi

US $1000
Siren replaced 
Mar 2009

85000 mi

US $1800
broken motor mount, fuel pump 
Oct 2010

90000 mi

US $2500
Something in the rod was leaking transmission fluid into the wheel area. Sounds like BS to me, but who knows. 
Volvo XC90 in Maryland, United States
Apr 2011 - Nov 2014
Jun 2011

118000 mi

US $800
Replaced bushings and realigned. 
Aug 2013

154000 mi

US $4100
Rebuilt transmission (will be 3rd transmission) after roughly 75,000 miles (first transmission replaced at 75,000. 
Sep 2013

154000 mi

US $650
Axle installed incorrectly when transmission rebuilt. Axle failed and caused leakage of transmission. 
Jan 2014

146800 mi
Software update 
May 2014

163000 mi

US $1973
Replaced strut assemblies rear and front brake pads and rotors 
Jul 2014

163800 mi

US $460
Recharged ac Replaced. Braking solenoid 
Oct 2014

168000 mi
Leak determined. Waiting to see if under Aamco warranty. 
Nov 2014

168000 mi
Oil leak not repaired. 

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2003 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 208hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Volvo XC90 in Alberta, Canada
Apr 2009 - Jun 2011
Feb 2009

42782 mi
Inner CV Boot Clamp - was loose had it repaired at same time of Angle Gear reseal 
Mar 2009

42782 mi

C $931
Angle Gear - Resealed (not replaced, replacement was estimated at $3500 and not necessary) 
Apr 2009

44406 mi

C $56
Cupholder Lid inbetween 2 front seats got stuck, had to be partially dismantled, rear underlid latch mechanism in wrong position, was repaired but is still sticky. Must be very careful when utilizing 
Jul 2009

46648 mi

C $67
"Reduced Engine Performance" warning - Clear warnings in system, recommended action if it comes back is to reload 2 ECMs (Code 9520 Accelerator Pedal Sensor and Throttle Unit Reload) 
May 2010

47740 mi

C $1600
Stereo stopped working, problem is not resolved. Solution is to put in new stereo into a 7 year old car (ridiculous!) 
Volvo XC90 in Queensland, Australia
Jun 2011 - Mar 2012
Jul 2011

219480 mi

A $140
transmission shift problem - requires overhaul 
Volvo XC90 in Nigeria
Jan 2015 - Apr 2016
Jun 2015

131440 mi

$200
Ball joint, linkages and lower arm 
Volvo XC90 in California, United States
Mar 2009 - Jul 2022
Oct 2009

57450 mi

US $11500
Bought vehicle (TX), fixed cracked plastic on armrest hinge - glued together with epoxy and works like a charm. Front wiper washer fluid line had been cut/pinched. Replaced. Fuel door plastic locking latch broken, in search of replacement door. 
Nov 2009

58000 mi

US $800
Leaking fuel pump (Symptoms: lower gas mileage, difficulty starting, fuel smell, wet fuel tank) Replaced at ind. mechanic with OEM parts. 
Dec 2009

58500 mi
Continuation of fuel pump repair: Volvo reimbursed for part, since pump was under manufacturer warranty. 
Feb 2010

61000 mi

US $160
Never found used fuel door. Ind. shop ordered a new door, paint and install. Also, pass. side low beam light socket had short and partially melted. Had just the socket replaced. This assembly was orig. a junk yard repl. by dealer in order to sell car. 
Dec 2010

74000 mi

US $66
Two rear brake lights not working, both bulbs burned out (third top bar was working). Replaced bulbs, lights did not work. Replaced brake relay switch and relay. Problem solved and lights work like new. Parts received from dealership. 
Feb 2011

76000 mi

US $450
CV boot busted for a while/was easier to replace axle.  Also, there was a crack in the exhaust flange where it connects to engine, leaking exhaust, making engine noisy and smelly. This was welded closed and works like a charm now! 
Sep 2011

84000 mi

US $300
Rough idling - engine revving on its own at red light. Threw code, idle too rich, gas mileage was suffering. Replaced MAF and solved problem. 
Feb 2012

87500 mi

US $500
Replaced worn bushings 
Mar 2012

88000 mi
After heavy rain passenger floor mat was wet. Cleaned front sunroof drain tubes and cut rubber elbow ends to allow for debris to flow freely. Also removed and air dried the passenger floor panel. Leak is fixed. 45 minutes total time. 
Aug 2012

93000 mi

US $300
Replaced front strut spring mounts (one was busted and the other cracked) 
Sep 2012

94000 mi

US $190
Worn out engine mount. Replaced. 
Oct 2013

107500 mi

US $1500
AWD angle gear failed damaging right front axle in the process. Replaced angle gear & axle. 
Feb 2014

111400 mi

US $1900
Real seal leak was getting worse - replaced all engine rubber seals 
Oct 2016

144000 mi

US $400
Replaced faulty alternator 
Jul 2017

147000 mi

US $700
Ignition coils cracked, replaced all 5 and spark plugs. Leaky Evap hose replaced. replaced noisy AC blower motor and shimmed AC compressor (was not engaging) with zip ties, per the "zip-tie AC compressor trick" 

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2003 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 161hp 2.4L I5 Diesel 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Volvo XC90 in France
Jul 2007 - Jan 2012
Aug 2007

61959 mi

€158
Recplacement of left/ball joint 
Aug 2008

72788 mi

€83
replacement top engine support (rubber in alu) 
Jun 2009

82460 mi

€2058
Intially diagnosed as problem with one injector of the engine, it later proved to be a problem with the flywheel and starter motor. Flywheel replaced. Intially diagnosed as problem with one injector of the engine, it later proved to be a problem with the flywheel and starter motor. Flywheel replaced. 
Dec 2009

86943 mi

€758
Complete revisions of handbrake system, cables and also handbrake pads 
Aug 2010

94883 mi

€16
Also replaced leaking crankcase seal. Also replaced leaking crankcase seal. 
Sep 2010

95790 mi
Repair of rear window wiper motor. Text message "SRS Airbag repar urgente" appears in display of DIM. DTC error codes SRS-00D4 and DIM-0003 and DIM-0005 
Mar 2011

100874 mi

€81
Set of new antitheft wheelbolts (were damaged by workshop) 
Jun 2011

104160 mi
As result of heavy rain, huge leakage through the draining openings in the cowl in front of the windscreen. High level of water in both the front floor sections of the body, under the front chairs. As result of water leakage Audio systeem has halted to work. DTC (Error) codes ICM-DC02, ICM-1A51 and ICM-DC01. Probably AUD control module defect. As result of heavy rain, huge leakage through the draining openings in the cowl in front of the windscreen. High level of water in both the front floor sections of the body, under the front chairs. As result of water leakage Audio systeem has halted to work. DTC (Error) codes ICM-DC02, ICM-1A51 and ICM-DC01. Probably AUD control module defect. 
Jan 2012

95790 mi

€644
Replacing rear wheelbearing left 
Volvo XC90 in Great Britain
Jun 2010 - Jun 2011
Apr 2010

128000 mi
Replaced NSR wheel-bearing cassette 
Volvo XC90 in Great Britain
Jun 2015 - May 2016
May 2016

135000 mi

£100
Back up sensor failed 

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2003 Volvo XC90 Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 Volvo XC90 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.